Femi Ilesanmi
Ilesanmi playing for York City in 2014
Personal information
Full name Oluwafemi Abayomi Alaba Ilesanmi[1][2]
Date of birth (1991-04-18) 18 April 1991[3]
Place of birth Southwark, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[4]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Boreham Wood
Number 3
Youth career
0000–2007 AFC Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 AFC Wimbledon 0 (0)
2008–2009 Queens Park Rangers 0 (0)
2010 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 12 (2)
2010–2014 Dagenham & Redbridge 117 (1)
2010 → Histon (loan) 16 (0)
2014–2016 York City 70 (0)
2016–2017 Boreham Wood 43 (0)
2017–2018 Dover Athletic 45 (2)
2018– Boreham Wood 177 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:21, 11 July 2023 (UTC)

Oluwafemi Abayomi Alaba "Femi" Ilesanmi (born 18 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Boreham Wood.

Ilesanmi started his career with AFC Wimbledon's youth system, making his first-team debut in 2007 before transferring to Queens Park Rangers in 2008, where he played for the under-18 team. He spent a year at QPR where he also played for the reserve team, before his release. He signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Ashford Town (Middlesex) in February 2010. His form prompted newly promoted League One club Dagenham & Redbridge to sign him in May 2010. He spent three months on loan at Conference Premier club Histon in 2010. Ilesanmi spent four years with Dagenham & Redbridge before joining York City in May 2014, where he played for two seasons before being released.

Club career

Early career

Ilesanmi was born in Southwark, London[1] to Nigerian parents.[5] He started his career with AFC Wimbledon in their youth system.[6][7] Despite his young age, he made a handful of appearances for the reserve team and also made his first-team debut aged 16 in an Isthmian League Cup match against Whyteleafe in October 2007.[6][8] He spent nearly a full season with Wimbledon before moving to Queens Park Rangers' under-18 team in 2008.[6][9] He spent a season at Loftus Road, featuring for both the youth team and the reserves before being released in 2009. After his release he joined League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on non-contract terms.[10] Whilst on trial he featured several times for the reserves.[10] He also had a brief spell spent on trial at Conference Premier club Salisbury City, where he played for the reserves.[6][11]

In February 2010, he signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Ashford Town (Middlesex), where he spent a short spell.[12] Ilesanmi scored his first goal for Ashford in a 2–1 home defeat to Carshalton Athletic.[13] During the last few months of the 2009–10 season, Dagenham & Redbridge monitored Ilesanmi's performances.[12] His last goal for the club came in the final match of the season, when he scored a bizarre goal from an attempted cross which put Ashford in the lead against Harrow Borough.[14] However, Ashford went on to lose the match 6–2 and were relegated for the first time in their history.[12] Ilesanmi made 12 appearances for Ashford, scoring two goals.[15]

Dagenham & Redbridge

Dagenham & Redbridge were impressed with his performances at Ashford and again offered him a trial period with the club.[10] The trial was successful and Ilesanmi signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted League One club in July 2010.[10] In August 2010, he was sent out on loan to Conference Premier club Histon on an initial one-month loan with a view to extending further.[16] His debut came on the opening day of the season in a 3–1 win over Barrow at home.[17] He was sent off in his second match for Histon, a defeat to AFC Wimbledon, receiving his second booking for dissent.[18] After impressing Histon manager David Livermore during his first month at the club, his loan was extended for a further two months.[19] His final match for Histon came in a 1–1 draw with Wrexham on 30 October, where he provided the assist for a stoppage time equaliser.[20] Ilesanmi had become a fans favourite at the club and plans were being made to bring him back on loan in January 2011.[20] He returned to Dagenham having played 17 matches in all competitions for Histon.[21]

Upon his return to Dagenham in November 2010, Ilesanmi impressed manager John Still in a behind closed doors friendly.[22] This persuaded him to hand Ilesanmi a surprise professional and league debut for Dagenham in a 1–0 defeat to Oldham Athletic, where he played in place of Damien McCrory.[22][23] After his first six appearances, Ilesanmi signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension until 2014.[24] The club also decided to retain Ilesanmi and not send him back to Histon for a second loan spell.[24] He cemented his place as first choice left back for Dagenham for the remainder of 2010–11. He received his first red card for Dagenham in March 2011, in a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient when he brought down Paul-José M'Poku to concede a late penalty.[25] The club appealed the red card as manager John Still believed that no contact was made. However, the appeal was rejected and Ilesanmi was suspended for two matches.[25] Ilesanmi could not save Dagenham from relegation on the final match of the season when they lost 5–0 away to Peterborough United. Dagenham returned to League Two at the first time of asking after their only season in League One.[26] Ilesanmi 25 appearances for Dagenham that season.[27]

Ilesanmi playing for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2014

Ilesanmi started 2011–12 as understudy to Damien McCrory, making his first appearance of the season in the League Cup, a 5–0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.[28] His first league appearance of the season came in a 1–0 home defeat to Oxford United.[29] He returned to the first team line-up in November 2011, which coincided with the club losing nine straight league matches. He remained first choice until February 2012, when he started in a 5–0 home defeat to Cheltenham Town.[30] This proved to be his final appearance of the season, as Dagenham narrowly escaped successive relegation's to the Conference Premier. He made 26 appearances.[31]

In May 2012, manager John Still made Ilesanmi available for transfer.[32] After being transfer listed, Ilesanmi took it on himself to prove the management staff wrong by staying behind for extra training.[32] He started the first match of the season in the League Cup, a 1–0 home defeat to Coventry City.[33] He also started the first league match of the season, a 2–0 away defeat to Cheltenham Town. In November 2012, he thanked John Still for the transfer listing which gave him the "kick up the backside he needed", and resulted in him starting the season in fine form.[32] This also included a fine performance in the 5–0 win over Rotherham United, where he provided two assists.[32] His first professional goal and his first for Dagenham came in February 2013, a 2–1 defeat to league leaders Gillingham.[34] He still remained first choice left back after the departure of manager John Still to Luton Town.[35] Dagenham again narrowly avoided relegation to the Conference, this time on the final day of the season, despite losing 1–0 to York City.[36] Ilesanmi played in every Dagenham match in the season, making 50 appearances scoring one goal.[37]

Ilesanmi remained the first-choice left back for 2013–14. He started in Wayne Burnett's first match in full charge of Dagenham, a 3–1 away defeat to Fleetwood Town. In September 2013, he lost his place in the first team to young defender Jack Connors, who thrived during his spell in the team.[38] Ilesanmi came back into the side for a Football League Trophy tie against Peterborough United. He played well despite Dagenham losing 1–0 and regained his first team place.[38] Having made 32 appearances in 2013–14,[39] Ilesanmi was released by Dagenham in May 2014, with Burnett saying "it was also the right time for him to move on, he's been a fantastic servant for this football club and I wish him every success".[40]

York City

Ilesanmi playing for York City in 2014

Ilesanmi joined League Two York City on 22 May 2014 on a two-year contract.[41] He made his debut in York's 1–1 away draw with Tranmere Rovers in the opening match of 2014–15 on 9 August 2014.[42] Ilesanmi was released by York at the end of 2015–16.[43]

Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic

Ilesanmi joined National League club Boreham Wood on 5 August 2016, and was an unused substitute the following day in their 1–0 home win over Forest Green Rovers.[44] His debut came on 13 August 2016, as a 76th-minute substitute for Adriano Moke in a 1–1 away draw with York.[45] Ilesanmi made 51 appearances in 2016–17[45] as Boreham Wood finished 11th in the National League.[46] He was released at the end of the season.[47]

On 27 June 2017, Ilesanmi signed for National League club Dover Athletic on a one-year contract.[48] He made his debut on 5 August 2017 in a 1–0 victory away to Hartlepool United.[45]

Ilesanmi re-signed for National League club Boreham Wood on 25 June 2018.[49]

Style of play

Ilesanmi primarily plays at left back but is capable of playing at centre back and left wing-back.[22]

Other ventures

Ilesamni and Jamal Fyfield run a podcast called "Beyond The 92", where they talk about the National League.[50]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 October 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AFC Wimbledon 2007–08[8] Isthmian League Premier Division 0000—1[lower-alpha 1]010
Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2009–10[15] Isthmian League Premier Division 122———122
Dagenham & Redbridge 2010–11[27] League One 250—00—250
2011–12[31] League Two 17060102[lower-alpha 2]0260
2012–13[37] League Two 46110102[lower-alpha 2]0501
2013–14[39] League Two 29000102[lower-alpha 2]0320
Total 11717030601331
Histon (loan) 2010–11[21] Conference Premier 16010——170
York City 2014–15[42] League Two 33020101[lower-alpha 2]0370
2015–16[51] League Two 37010102[lower-alpha 2]0410
Total 700302030780
Boreham Wood 2016–17[45] National League 43020—6[lower-alpha 3]0510
Dover Athletic 2017–18[45] National League 45220—3[lower-alpha 3]0502
Boreham Wood 2018–19[45] National League 43120—3[lower-alpha 4]0481
2019–20[45] National League 35010—3[lower-alpha 5]0390
2020–21[45] National League 40140—1[lower-alpha 3]0451
2021–22[45] National League 14020—00160
Total 132290—701482
Career total 4357240502604907
  1. ↑ Appearance in Isthmian League Cup
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. 1 2 3 Appearances in FA Trophy
  4. ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one in Scottish Challenge Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in National League play-offs

References

  1. 1 2 "Femi Ilesanmi". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Oluwafemi Ilesanmi". ESPN FC. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Femi Ilesanmi". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Conor Okus:It was fun playing against West Ham". All Nigeria Soccer. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Munford, Colin (22 February 2013). "Femi aiming to help Daggers hurt his former side". Barking & Dagenham Post. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Carshalton Athletic Colts U14 2–4 AFC Wimbledon". AFC Wimbledon. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  8. 1 2 "AFC Wimbledon 1st Team Squad". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "Femi Ilesanmi: Matches against Peterborough". UpThePosh!. Chris Wilkinson. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Dagenham & Redbridge sign Femi Ilesanmi after trial". BBC Sport. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  11. ↑ Marshall, Anthony (13 October 2009). "Full time: Salisbury Reserves 0 Town Reserves 3". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 Coates, Gareth. "Former Ashford players who progressed to the Football League". Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016.
  13. ↑ Coates, Gareth. "Robins soar as Ashford are dragged into the relegation scrap". Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  14. ↑ Coates, Gareth. "Town face drop after Harrow's six-shooting". Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  15. 1 2 "First team appearances 2009–10". Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
    "First team goalscorers 2009–10". Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Loan signings complete". Histon F.C. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "Saturday 14 August 2010 – Histon FC 3–1 Barrow – BSBP". Histon F.C. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Tuesday 17 August 2010 – AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Histon FC – BSBP". Histon F.C. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Ilesanmi extends Histon loan". Sky Sports. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  20. 1 2 Vaughton, Michael (29 October 2010). "Ilesanmi in Stutes' swansong". Cambridge News. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  21. 1 2 Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 224–225. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  22. 1 2 3 Liddle, Iain (23 November 2010). "Ilesanmi reflects on surprise Daggers debut against Oldham Athletic". Broadway Ham & High. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "Dag & Red 0–1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  24. 1 2 "Femi Ilesanmi earns new Dagenham & Redbridge deal". BBC Sport. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  25. 1 2 "Dagenham & Redbridge lose Femi Ilesanmi appeal". BBC Sport. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  26. ↑ "Daggers relegated by five-star Posh". football.co.uk. Digital Sports Group. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  27. 1 2 "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  28. ↑ "Bournemouth 5–0 Dag & Red". BBC Sport. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  29. ↑ "Dag and Red 0–1 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  30. ↑ "Dag and Red 0–5 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Munford, Colin (16 November 2012). "Ilesanmi thankful for summer wake-up call from Daggers boss John Still". Ilford Recorder. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012.
  33. ↑ "Dag and Red 0–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  34. ↑ Munford, Colin (16 February 2013). "Ilesanmi strike not enough as Daggers unlucky to lose out at Gillingham". Barking & Dagenham Post. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  35. ↑ Osborne, Chris (25 February 2013). "John Still to become Luton Town boss and leave Dag & Red". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  36. ↑ "Dag and Red 0–1 York". BBC Sport. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  37. 1 2 "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  38. 1 2 Munford, Colin (20 December 2013). "Ilesanmi's happy to be back involved at Daggers and plans to stay put". Barking & Dagenham Post. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  39. 1 2 "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  40. ↑ "Dagenham: Chris Lewington and Femi Ilesanmi released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  41. ↑ "Left-back Femi Ilesanmi signs for York City". The Press. York. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  42. 1 2 "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  43. ↑ Flett, Dave (10 May 2016). "Updated with Penn quotes: Dave Winfield, Russell Penn, Luke Summerfield and Michael Ingham offered new contracts at York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  44. ↑ Bodell, Tom (6 August 2016). "Boreham Wood claimed an opening day scalp as they beat much-fancied Forest Green Rovers 1–0 in the National League". Borehamwood & Elstree Times. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "O. Ilesanmi: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  46. ↑ "National League: 2016/17: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  47. ↑ "Morgan Ferrier: Boreham Wood striker up for sale, while nine players leave". BBC Sport. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  48. ↑ "Dover Athletic sign Femi Ilesanmi and Ryan Bird on one-year contracts". BBC Sport. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  49. ↑ "Femi Ilesanmi: Boreham Wood re-sign Dover left-back". BBC Sport. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  50. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondThe92
  51. ↑ "Games played by Femi Ilesanmi in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
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